Folding tent



Feb. 1o, 192s.

J. SCOTT FOLDING TENTv Filed Aug. 4, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l .L sco-rf www@ mw Filed Aug. fi, 192.4

Feb. l0, 1925i 2 Sheets-Shet Patented F eb. 10, 1925.

UNITED STA rss JOHANNA score, or PonTLANn,.-oanson.-

nonnina' TENT. I

Application filed August 4, '1924. "seratlo.y 729,963.

To all yz/J/iom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHANNA SCOTT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Portland, county of Multnomah, and State of Oregon, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Folding Tents, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to tent-s and Vother foldable or knockdown structures especially adapted toV be carried upon the running board of an automobile.

In structures of this character it is necessary to provide a dressing enclosure 'hc ving framel membersof relatively short length so that they will ride on the-,running board and yet the parts must be of such' length that the structure is VlargeV enough to provide suflicient spa-ce to permit a person to stand upright insidethe same and also,`prefl erably of sufficient width to accommodate a bed.v

Jointed and hinged structures, usually provided, necessitate the expenditure of considerable time in the assembly and knocking down and also are not as rigid as integral members.

The object `of my invention, therefore, is to provide a tent in which the frame members are of suchlength that they can readily be carried on the running board of an automobile,.each member being an integral piece of the frame members, lbeing so arranged; that a-tent of suiiic'ient size canbe construct-V ed therefrom, to permit its use as a dressing tent for the occupants vof the machine.

A further object of my invention is to provide. a tent the frame of which is arranged in units so as to reduce the disconnecting parts to a. minimum, thereby to facilitate the set-ting up ofthe tent vframe and when vtaken down, condensing :the parts of the tent into compact bundles which may be readily packed together for convenient carrying about. l

further object is to provide a tent which will` be well ventilated and yet which is weather proof, and Vwhich is a complete Ienclosure or screen.

A further obje-Qt is to provide a tent frame which when assembled forms a rigid support for the covering and which does not depend on said covering for securing its rigidity.

attain these objects by providing a tent frame composed of members connected together in part so that the frame can be divided and made into compact convenientIt sizedbundles adapted to be carriedvon the running board of an automobile. The frame consists of a. wall portion made of members hinged together in such a manner that they may be .folded into two compact bundles and.

a roofportion made' of members hinged together and constituting a third bundle. The members in the wall units are `hinged to* gethersothat. they may be arranged angularly in parallel relationship with each.

other and when setup provide a sill or bay secured to posts mounted thereon in the Coi ner. The roof lunit `is preferably made up of units hinged together about a central vertical member and are hinged for parallel and radial arrangement with4 eachother, the

structureresembling the radial ribs of.;anY

umbrella.. i I provide the -upstandingrcorner posts and vthe radial members vwith engagingmeans and thus when the roof is in po? sition it servesto strengthen and support the wall units. To further provide a rigid structure l pass a flexible cord or cable about the upper ends of the corner posts which serve not only .to strengthen theportions and to hold the wall units in engagement with the roof unit, but Valso serves as a support upon which the coveringfor the Wall units can be hung. The covering forthe roof .is placed over the roof frame unit and is either connected or left unconnected thereto.v

The details of the foregoing. features and others incidental thereto are hereinafter fully desc 1ibed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

in the drawings:

F ig. 1 is a perspective view of my Vim` proved tent with portions of the covering shown as brokenl away, to disclose details CII Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the roof unit shown collapsed; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one unit of the wall units shown collapsed.

My improved tent is made up with a frame which is preferably adapted to be collapsed into three convenient sized bundle units. Two of these units constitute the wall and one unit the top. One wall unit is made up of the members a, b, c and d; a and c7 being the up-right corner posts at one side and b and c being the sills which form the foundation upon which the tent rests. The corner post a is held in 11p-right position by the braces e and c and the cerner post (l by the braces f and f. The other unit is made up of two corner posts a and d and sills ZJ and c. The corner post a is held up by struts e2 and e3, and the corner ci by struts f2 and f3. All of the struts mentioned consist preferably of flat straps of metal pivoted at one end and provided with a hoek which is adapted to fasten about outstanding pins on the sills. The strut e is fastened over the pin g, the strut e over the pin g, the strut over the pin g2, the strut f over the pin g3, the strut e2 over the pin g4, the strut e3 over the pin g5, the strut ff: over the pin g, and the strut- /i over the pin g?. The struts in the order named are pivoted about the pins 7L, 71,', 7b2, 71,3, 71,4, 71:5, 71.-, and 7L?. rlhe upper portion of each corner post a, a', o7 and cl is cut at an angle and provided respectively with upstanding dowels or pins z', el', 2 and 3.

One end of the member 7J is connected to the member a by a hinge j and to the member c by the hinge j. The member a is fastened to the member 79 by a similar hinge jz, the member c is fastened to the member Z1 by the hinge js, the member c is fastened to the member (7 by the hinge y, and the member d is fastened to the sill member c by a hinge The lower end of the corner post a. is

removably fastened to the sill member by a pin 7.1, on the end of the member a and which fits in the hole 7: in the end of the sill member 7). The corner post CZ is provided with a similar pin 71:2 which seats in the hole provided therefor in the end of the member c to hold said members together'.

The roof unit is made up with a central section Z from which a number of radially arranged members my, m', m2 and m3 extendl and toA which they are hingedly attached respectively by the hinges fn, n', n? and n3, as shown in Fig. 4l. Near the extremity of each radial member m and ma inclusive is provi led a hole 0, o', 02, and 03 respectively which is adapted to receive the dowels z' and if" inclusive.

About the wall section of the frame near the inner e ds of the corner posts a, a', 7) and 7; l fasten the cable or cord y), the

ends of which terminate in rings p and p2 and I tighten this cable or cord by means of a section of cable or cord p which passes through these loops, and by means of which the cord or cable can be tightened to brace the corner posts a. ai, Z and d. The covering g for the side of the tent is preferably provided with a number of rings g and I pass the cord or cable p through these rings. The cord or cable 20 thus serves as a support for the covering. To prevent the cord or cable p from slipping downwardly on the corner post I cut a groove in each corner post near the top, in which this cord or cable y) can seat. The groove r is cut in the corner post a, and the grooves fr', r2 and r3 being cui in the corner posts a', c7 and al, respectively.

The end ring g2 which passes about the,`

cord p and holds the covering g in place is spaced a slight distance from that end of the covering to which it is fastened and thus there is a portion Q3 of the covering which is adapted to be folded back upon the remainder of the covering to provide a door, as illustrated in Fig. 3. To hold this portion g3 in position I place a number of snaps g* along the entire height of the tent as shown in Fig. l to provide a continuous enclosure or screen about the sides of the tent.

As can be noted, the grooves r to r3 inclusive are a substantial distance below thc end of the corner posts in which they are respectively7 cut and thus the top of the cover g does not extend up to the top of the corner post, thus providing a substantial opening between the top of the covering and the roof section as shown in Fig. 2. The roof members m to m3 inclusive are longer than the distance between the corner posts and thus extend some distance outside of the corner posts. The roof covering s is mounted over the roof section and is fastened to the same if desired and has a pendent section s about the edge which hangs a substantial distance below the extremity of the radial members m to m3 inclusive, as shown in Fig. 2. The outer extremities of the members m to m3 inclusive, extend downwardly outside of the corner posts to a` plan substantially alined with the top of the curtain Q.

By arranging the roof section in this manner, I prevent the wind from gettingia full sweep through the opening which would not only cause a pronounced draft but would also tend to lift the roof from the Vwall section.

The pendent portion s of the roof covering s hangs a substantial distance below the extremities of the members m to m inclusive and thus conceals or screens the opening t above the curtain g so thatl this opening is not visible from the outside and also serves to prevent rain from beating into the tent through this opening.

megs-16 Tentsf'used 'for camping and adapted lto be Carried' onfthe running board oflaii *autoinobile serve notonly as dressing chambers lor the occi'ipaiitsof-'tlie automobile"` butalso supp Irt'tlie Wallse'c'tion. I

respectively arefcut atf any"angle las shown -iii shelter at least for the camping bed; 4AThe vFiglie so1- as toj permit? the-linienibersfto be extended outwardlyso as toy `forni-'fa slope fof rigid f roof structure. VThef-ai'igle" which' these f members ma-lie *with* eaeliffotlier'- is preferto niakeftentsoftliis character With one side open or with one side Whicliisadaptedito *be Vlitted upwardly `vand fastened fto" 4the sidelf of the automobile or to some similarobje'ct'so that head of the" sleeping ybedca'ii ber placed inside ofthe tent andtherema'indei"of the bed'le'ft in the open. By Vinoi'inting the' cover ing'g upon rings which are'"adapted'toislide` along the cordor cable 79 I: airitlius enabled to entirely Y remove tlie'- covering Afrom 'one side of the tent byunfastening "said snaps Q4 and sliding the covering towards'the corner posts a and ci. This doesnotnecessitate' the lifting of one portion lof the'tent "out "of position and maybe quickly accomplished Without atleetin; g'the rigidity and stability cordffor fcable, the' do'wels 'tend' tofb'e `Useated of the tent frame.

As hereiiibe'for'e mentioned, the* tent shown is adapted to bel made up 'in' three bundles of diagonally 'f between the saine.

forni substantial vciitinu ation-s of each -othen It one eoriierfte'iids to "collapse inwardly, it iis 4'l resisted by 1 the opposite corner post through 5 theroo'f il 'members' 'which entendi Then the doivels'iare'in positioiiin the liol'e'sfproi'iided therefor'fin the radial menibeiis'lm' to-m3 member 'at an "angle i as' shown 'iii fFigpl 2 andthiisfwvlieii-'the cord 'orfcable pfisf-tastened' about'the eorneiffpos'ts fan'df they aie'idrawn convenient size: One' bundle of the members l Which'coiistitute Vthe Wall section being illnstrated in Fig. 7 and fone bnndlefof theniembeis which constitute vthe `Aroo'ffse'cti'on being their hinged connections 'and"'fasteiiiiigthe f' saine in extended position. The member o is moved about its hinged coiinecti'on'until it assumes a rightangley with the corner. post (i,

and the VA'strut e can thenv be hooked about vthe 'coiiner'pois'ts inthe grooves r to r3 incluthe pin g. Thesill member o can be moved 4similarly about its coni'iectioiiand the 'strut e can be fastened over the pin g and the ly'from the sill member until itassunies'` a right angle thereto and the strut canbe fastened over the pin'gg. The 'corner postsV al and cl can be arrangedsimilarly`V and andtliusffthe'jiootv covering Will'be put in fastened in place bythe respective` struts. The tivo units' 'can then be fastened'together pin 7a2 in the hole/7c3, andthe struts f and o2 'over the-'pins gaa-nd g4 respectively: The

tov'ard's'jV each 'other i byY the' tensioning 'of the irnily Yin "the hole i so as rto prevent the ioof froiiij'being' "ren'i'ov'ed 'except directly upwardly'V Tl'iispreveiitsfa 'corner"`or*side= of the roof' lfi'oi'i'i' tend-ingftoA be- V*lifted by' thexvi'n'd. The-f cord" or Ycable talso' tendsV Ato 'prevent any from 'collapsing-r ini-validly they form a ianie'fof extreme fst'rengthf and rigidity,

when"tlie "`eXtreine `"portiabi'lity is taken into 'f conside'rtion.`

The vvall covering q being carried` by rii'i'gs gToi'iYftli'e cable .pI-isi 'thus 'fastened in place when' the cordiorcable 'p is' fittedl about sive. Ifftlie VtopcoveringV s fis Vseparate-from the roofprtio'n-off the frame all that is necessary to make a complete 't'e'i'it ystruct-ure is-to" place this covering in position. I believe it preferable however to fasten thereof 'f covering-l directly to the members m tofm3 inclusive; Yso thatv 'it' resembles 'an umbrella place "Whentlie'radi-al -s'triicturesm to m3 inyelusive''arelmounted'up'on the corner posts:

i I claim:

1L A tentframe-comprisingti'vo wallbei's' Ahinged together1'for arrangement `in 1 parallel Y and angi'lai' relation withVA each -f other,I a'fp'ost;'hinged-at tliefji'incturefof sa-.id

each cornerpostwiththe doWels z' to?? seatwhen arrangediin f itsv parallel vrelation A'clearing tlie-adja'cent eind oitV the upper/'face of ing inthe holes 0 Atio-037'provided#-i'espectively therefor. lVheiitheV d'owels or piiis'are sill 1inein'bers',v adapted foi" 'parallel I and angula-i1"'adjustment With* one of lthe latterv and iis the other' of said sill members, a post hinged to the extremity of the other sill member for arrangement in parallel and angular relation therewith, means for connecting the outer ends ot the sill members of the two units, and means for securing the posts in upright position on the sills.

2. A tent frame comprising two wallsection units each composed of two sill members hinged together tor arrangement in parallel and angular relation with each other, a post, hinged at the juncture of said sill members adapted for parallel and angular adjustment with one ot the latter and when arranged in its parallel relation clearing the adjacent end oit the upper face of the other of said sill members, a post hinged to the extremity of the other sill member for arrangement in parallel and angular relation therewith, means for connecting the outer ends of the sill members of the two units, means for securing the posts in upright position on the sills, and a rootl frame.

3. A tent trame comprising two wallsection units each composed of two sill mem` bers hinged together for arrangement in parallel and angular relation with each other, a. post, hinged at the juncture of said sill members adapted for parallel and angular adjustment with one ot the latter and when arranged in its parallel relation clearing the adjacentl end of the upper face of the other of said sill members, a post hinged to the extremity of the other sill member,

for arrangement in parallel and angular relation therewith, means for connecting the outer ends of the sill members of the two units, means for securing the posts in upright position on the sills, and a` root frame, the extremities of said roof frame members extend a substantial distance beyond said posts. Y

e. A tent Jframe comprising two wallsection units each composed of two sill members hinged together for arrangement in parallel and angular relation with each other, a post, hinged at the juncture of said sill members adapted :tor parallel and angular adjustment with one of the latter and when arranged in its parallel relation clearing the adjacent end of the upper face of the other of said sill members, a post hinged to the extremity ot' the other sill member for arrangement in parallel and angular relation therewith, means for connecting the outer ends of the sill members of the tvvov units, means for securing the posts in upright position on the sills, a transverse rope receiving groove provided on each of said posts adjacent to, but spaced from its upper end, a root' frame, t-he extremities of said root Jframe members extending a substantial distance beyond said posts, means for tastening said roof trame on said posts of the wall trame, side curtains adapted to be suspended from ropes located in said grooves of the post, and a roof covering adapted to be supported on said roof frame, provided with pendent side sections extending a. substantial distance below the top of said side curtains.

5. A tent frame comprising a wall section composed ot two sill members hinged together for arrangementin parallel and angular relation with each other, a post, hinged at the juncture of said sill members, adapted for parallel and angularl adjustment with one of the latter, and a post hinged to the extremity ot' the other sill member for arrangement in parallel and angular relation therewith.

6. A tent frame comprising a wall section composed of two sill members hinged together for arrangement in parallel and angular relation with each other, a post, hinged at the juncture of said sill members, adapted for parallel and angular adjustment with one of the latter, a post hinged to the extremity `of the other sill member for arrangement in parallel and angular relation therewith, and means for securing the posts in upright position on the sills.

7. A tent trame comprising two wall-section units each composed ot two sill members hinged together for arrangement in parallel and angular relation with each other, a post, hinged at the juncture of said sill members, adapted for parallel and angular ladjustment with one ot the latter, a post hinged to the extremity of the other sill member for arrangement in parallel and angular relation therewith, means tor connecting the outer ends of the sill members of one unit with the post of the other unit,

and means for securing the posts in upright position on the sills.

8. A tent frame comprising two wall-section units each composed of two sill members hinged together for arrangement in parallel and angular relation with each other, a post, hinged at the juncture or' said sill members, adapted for parallel and angular adjustment with oneot the latter, a post hinged to the extremity of the other sill member for arrangement in parallel and angular relation therewith, means for connecting the outer ends ot the sill members of the two units, means for securing the posts in upright position on the sills, a transverse rope receiving groove provided on each of said posts adjacent to, but spaced from its upper end, a root frame, side cur.- tains adapted to be suspended from ropes located in said grooves of the post, and a root covering adapted to be supported on said root-frame, provided with pendent side sections extending a substantial distance below the top of said side curtains,

9. A tent trame comprising two walhsece tion units each composed of two sill mem,`

bers hinged together for arrangement in parallel and angular relation With each other, a post, hinged at the juncture of said sill members, adapted for parallel and angular adjustment With one of the latter, a post hinged to the extremity of the other sill member for arrangement in parallel and angular relation therewith, means for connecting the outer ends of the sill members of the two units, means for securing the posts in upright position on the sills, a roofframe comprising members hinged together for parallel and radial arrangement, and means for fastening said roof-frame on said posts of the Wall frame.

l0. In a foldable tent, a frame consisting of corner posts each connected to the others at their lower ends, a roof section made of members liingedly connected to each other at one end and extending radially from said point of connection, (zo-operating engaging means carried by the upper end of said corner posts and said radial members, and having a flexible cord fastened about said corner post tending in part to hold said engaging means in Co-operative relation.

l1. In afoldable tent, a frame consisting of corner posts each Connected to the other at their lower ends, a roof section made of members hingedly connected to each other at one end and extending radially from said point of connect-ion, Co-operating engaging means carried by the upper end of said corner posts and said radial' members, ha-V- ing a flexible oord fastened about said corner post tending in part to hold said engaging nieans in (3o-operative relation, aside covering carried by said flexible cord, and a roof covering carried by said radial members.

J OHANNA SCOTT. 

